New Amsterdam

New Amsterdam (2007) Elizabeth Bear

Imagine North America where there was never a Revolutionary War against the British. Where England and France and Spain control North American colonies. France controls Canada and Louisiana. Spain controls the West Coast. And England still controls the original colonies.

It’s 1899. Magic and technology exist together. Despite the tensions between France and England, Zeppelins cross the Atlantic ocean, carrying passengers and colonists from the Old World to the New. Necromancers and sorcerers and vampires exist along with electricity and telegraphs.

Don Sebastian de Ulloa–the great detective–is leaving the Continent to move to the New World–leaving the Old World and his circle of friends for a new life. He brings with him his protege, Jack Priest. As they travel, the disappearance of one of the passengers–from a zeppelin over the Atlantic–calls for the skills and experience of Don Sebastian.

Abagail Irene Garrett is Detective Crown Inspector for New Amsterdam–what we would consider New York. She answers only to the Crown in England and the Duke of New Amsterdam–although she must work with the mayor and his inspectors.

New Amsterdam is written as a series of interrelated short stories. The first several stories could be read independently from each other, however, although the later parts of the book were also written as short stories, those stories build upon the earlier tales. So although there are complete story arcs for each of the tales, each story brings up new questions, and not all questions are resolved. Additionally, although the arcs for each story are completed, there were multiple unresolved plot points when the book ends.

The start of the book was extremely well done. We are meet Sebastian and the other characters on the zeppelin, and learn about him as we learn about the world in which he lives. I thought this introduction was very well done and enjoyable.

The zeppelin Hans Glucker left Calais at 9:15 in the evening on a cold night in March, 1899, bound for New Amsterdam, the Jewel of British North America. Don Sebastian de Ulloa, known to the Continent as the great detective, passed his departure on the promenade, watching the city lights recede through blurring isinglass. He amused himself by taking inventory of his fellow passengers while enjoying the aroma of a fairly good cognac.

I loved the setting. I am particularly fond (for no known reason) of stories set in the 18th and 19th century. Although the world is not quite as we know it, it is familiar enough that (assuming you are comfortable with fantasy and alternate realities) it takes little adjustment to become comfortable in Sebastian’s world. And that setting is both vivid and enjoyable.

I also loved the mingling of magic and technology–especially the idea that the electric grid in Paris was built upon the plans and ideas of Doctor Tesla. I’d only recently learned that Tesla was trying to build a wireless electricity system (which made Tesla’s portrayal and part in “The Prestige” even more fascinating).

Both the primary and secondary characters were well done. Even the secondary characters had distinct personalities, and when Sebastian changes names, we’re still able to keep things straight.

About the only thing I didn’t enjoy about New Amsterdam was that the ending left many questions unanswered–questions that will most likely be answered in a sequel. But that’s one of my particular quirks, and most normal people won’t be bothered by the ending.

If you enjoy historical mysteries, such as those written by Bruce Alexander and Kate Ross, and enjoy historical-type fantasies, such as those written by Ellen Kushner, Steven Brust, and Sean Russell, then I highly recommend New Amsterdam.
Rating: 9/10

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